In 1998 Ryan Leaf was in contention to be the #1 pick in the NFL draft. In the end, Peyton Manning went 1 and Ryan Leaf went 2. Manning went on to become one of the most celebrated players in the games history, whereas Leaf was out of the game within 4 years and just over a decade later he spent several years in Montana state penitentiary.

That journey of the extreme highs to extreme lows was ultimately what was required for Ryan to build himself into the person he is today. He's now a happily married father of 2, whose answer on the point of life is to devote himself to his 4.

We spoke a lot about his rebuild over the past 10 years, where he has taught himself how to focus on the things he can control and learn to show extreme gratitude for all that he has - as opposed to focusing on what he doesn't. He speaks about his understand of God, and what it means to surrender to a higher power even if he can't contemplate who or what that is. In talking about the journey to get here, we spoke a lot about how failure and suffering can help us to gain perspective. And to top it all off, we got a cameo appearance from Ryan's eldest son McGyver who had just arrived home from school!

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Unlike most of us in the West who grow up in a predominately Christian society, Mesh grew up in the minority Coptic community in the majority Muslim country of Egypt. When she came to Australia as an adult, it was her husbands search for faith that led her to truly question what was ultimately a cultural belief system. She spent many years as a 'church nomad' and in recent years became convinced that the Catholic Church is indeed the true Church of God.

Though I first became a believer within a Catholic Church, I have been a 'protestant' for most of my believing life and would consider myself 'anti-Catholic' like many other Christians who look at Rome as a counterfeit religion. In past episodes I have been openly critical of Catholicism and whilst I've never questioned the faith of many of its people, I am highly critical of the papacy and many other elements of the Church. This episode was very interesting for me, because I have gotten to know Mesh and believed many things that she did before I learned that she was Catholic. In having discussions, she has forced me to reconsider some of my presuppositions which have been influenced by culture and society. Whilst I still reject Catholicism, this was a chance to have an open and honest conversation about things where maybe what I currently believe are wrong.

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My background is broad, but around 5 years ago with no prior experience I did something which might seem very unusual and became involved in the death industry when I co-founded a funeral business. It's been one of the most rewarding businesses that I've been involved in and one of the great lessons has been that death can teach us so much about life.

I wanted to bring a guest on the show who is an expert in this space and could share their experiences, so I reached out to one of the world leading death doulas Sarah Kerr who was all too willing to share her insights. Sarah is the Founder of the Centre for Sacred Deathcare and an expert on dying.

We spoke about the role of rituals and her views on the supernatural elements of what happens when a person dies.

You can find more of Sarah's content at her website.

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I sat down with the very charismatic Steve Magua from St Louis Missouri to get his perspectives on what the point is anyway. Steve grew up in the faraway land of Kenya, before migrating to America as an adult and becoming Christian at the age of 33. For many years, until as recently as 2019, he was preparing his family and followers for the 'end of the world' and preached about the coming tribulation which was going to be hell on earth for all who didn't come to faith in Jesus.
Those who know Steve now are aware that his current views on the world are a complete reversal on what they once were. The result has been a feeling of peace and joy that he didn't have before when all he expected was for the world to be burned up.
We discussed many of Steve's controversial views including the questions of whether 'science' conflicts with the Bible, and whether Adam was indeed the first human and if not, how sin could be in the world.
This was a fun conversation where we got to see a different side of Steve - a man who I think we can all learn something from whether we agree with him or not.

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In this engaging conversation, I sit down with Nigel Taylor to explore the complexities of faith, doubt, and personal belief.
Nigel and I agree on a lot, but we disagree on lots too and often debate vigorously with each other. We decided that the best way to hash out these differences was over a glass of scotch and some honest conversation.
We discussed Nigel's journey from Christianity to atheism and back, the role of scripture in navigating life's challenges, and the impact of personal experiences on faith. Nigel delves into near-death experiences, the importance of historical context in understanding religious texts, and the growing skepticism towards modern narratives. Throughout, we emphasize the significance of asking questions and seeking truth in a complex world.
We get into the doctrine of the Trinity, and the implications of these beliefs on Christianity. We discuss the importance of understanding evil and spiritual warfare, the role of angels and demons, and the necessity of sound doctrine in the faith.

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In this conversation, Jen Fishburne shares her journey from a Christian upbringing to her eventual deconversion and exploration of what Luke described as existentialism.
Jen returned to the Church in her 30's, then as she studied the Bible more she came to a preterist understanding and eventually an 'Israel Only' position, which is the idea that the Bible is a story that was ultimately about Ancient Israel and its relevance ceased in the first century.
Following that, Jen ultimately became an atheist and in this process created the YouTube channel Answers From Jenesis where she shares more of her journey and her current worldview.
Luke and Jen disagree on a lot and they discussed how they both saw eschatological fulfilment in the Biblical narrative and yet landed at completely different conclusions on the meaning of it.
Jen ultimately believes that Jesus never existed as a historical person and that the New Testamant was a Roman psyop, which has led to her current views on creation, energy, and the nature of existence, ultimately framing her beliefs within what she describes as a scientific context.

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In this conversation, Luke McInnes interviews Ward Fenley, exploring his background, family dynamics, and theological perspectives, particularly around preterism and the afterlife. Ward shares his personal journey of faith, the impact of his father's struggles with substance abuse, and how these experiences shaped his views on Christianity. The discussion delves into controversial topics such as the nature of eternal life, the role of love in faith, and critiques of modern evangelicalism. Ward and Luke explore the complexities of belief, the nature of God, and the importance of humility in faith. They discuss the psychological aspects of belief, the holiness of God, and the nature of Jesus as central to understanding Christianity. The dialogue also touches on the dangers of self-righteousness and the implications of political ideologies on faith, emphasizing the need for a genuine relationship with Jesus and a humble approach to spirituality.

Check out all of Ward’s content over at NCMI Live

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Is there such thing as demons, and is demonic possession real? A former addict, satanist and gang member all give their diverse perspectives on a difficult topic!

In this engaging roundtable discussion, Luke McInnes brings together three friends and past guests to explore the complex topic of demonic possession. Stephen Long, Mike Miano and Kirsten Barton all share their unique perspectives, ranging from traditional Christian views to psychological interpretations and cultural experiences. The conversation delves into the nature of demons, the spiritual realm, and personal experiences with possession, while also examining biblical accounts and their implications. The group emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and understanding diverse viewpoints, ultimately highlighting the need for a balanced approach to spirituality and knowledge.

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